tampered | Log; Complete

Current Mood: drained

Log; Complete

When; October 2
Rating; PG-13... is for g-gore D:?
Characters; Watari Yutaka [

scienceinacan] & Tatsumi Seiichirou [

kageseii]
Summary; Because, in the end, Watari has no one else he trusts enough to place his life onto but the miserable, and stingy Secretary from Hell.
Log;

Whatever he did; it had not been the best of ideas at all.

Yutaka was sure that if he'd actually been alive when he did what he did that resulted in that brief, alright, not-so-brief coma, then he'd have made a very comfy place for himself in the latest edition of the Darwinian Awards book. He himself wasn't even completely sure how he'd managed it, but when consciousness finally trickled in, he found himself staring at his own brains. Quite literally.

In a glossy jar that 003 was nervously flapping around tirelessly.

Thinking came hard then, but slowly, he was able to process the picture in front of him. Somehow, he had extracted his brains whole and doused it in some liquid to keep it from regenerating another Yutaka Watari. To keep his current body alive, but his mouth graciously disconnected to his brains, he'd, somehow and rather amazingly, wired his brains to his body with... a bunch of colorful wires. In his state, Yutaka couldn't think very genius-like, and was functioning at, at most he surmised, 30% efficiency. He didn't think it was a pretty sight, because he was sure he'd have made quite a mess to get his brains wired up in a jar he'd conveniently left in his lap... but, at least, he didn't see it?

That had been something to be thankful for until he realized he couldn't move his fingers, or his arms, or his legs, and pretty much his whole body but his face and eyes. And then, a new problem made itself known;

How the hell was the Chief of the Five Generals, the great and legendary genius, Watari Yutaka, supposed to get his brains back into its throne in his head?

At least, it seemed he'd covered his head with something, because the wires were definitely going there and he was conscious right now, wasn't he?

Or did that mean he was regenerating another brain?

In any case, Yutaka had a feeling that if he didn't set things right now, he'd end up with an even bigger problem. However, before that bigger problem was the big problem of setting his body back to its former glory. He didn't think anyone would understand, really. It was also a plainly worrisome thought to ask someone randomly from the network to play doctor for him, especially when he was sure not that many people knew about his regeneration rate attributed to being a guardian of death, or dead simply. That left Tsuzuki and Bon... and Tatsumi.

Tsuzuki, he highly doubted could even hold a pair of children's scissors without opening himself up for some form of disaster. He'd apologize to Tsuzuki for the thought, but it was true. That meant Tsuzuki and Brain? No go. Bon on the other hand was, without a doubt, the more competent of the two. He was also an empath though, and a Yutaka without his brains, and with all those memories concerning Tatsumi... he didn't want to subject Bon to that.

Finally, there was Tatsumi. Muraki was completely, and naturally, out of the question. Tatsumi, despite the complications their strictly business relationship had hit on, was the only option left.

Yutaka knew he was competent; more than just competent, actually. He knew Tatsumi could definitely help him in this... but the question was; would the shadow master help him?

He had to try, he knew.

With some difficulty, he tried to access the network with the chips he knew were there, wired deep within his brains.

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It had been a few days, at the least, since he had even talked with Watari, and that, itself, had been a frightful ordeal. Though the increasing silence that came from Watari was a pleasant change, somewhere within him did Tatsumi know that there was something wrong. A chatty, hyperactive scientist keeping his mouth shut was just too much of a giveaway.

And then there came that post he had seen. A cry for assistance, and from him. However initially shocking the thought was, it was quite practical once Tatsumi had thought it through. Tsuzuki being relatively incompetent, Hisoka being so easily susceptible to turbulent emotions, and the good doctor being the obvious worst choice, there was really no one else that could do it, lest one wanted to gamble with the foreign doctors here. Silently, Tatsumi cursed the circumstances, but soon he became calm. He was getting used to it, really.

However, he was not prepared for the sight that had met him when he stepped into that laboratory. There sat the scientist, in a chair with a jar in his lap... and his brain sat there inside it. He had avoided glancing at that opened skull that looked more like a Halloween prop than anything. It was all he could do to keep staring unnecessarily, and he reminded himself quickly that there had been worse that had passed by his sight before. It was It was surreal, however, when it didn't involve people he barely met.

He sighed, internally muttering sensible phrases to bring himself back down to earth. First, take care of the problem at hand. Then the questions could be asked. The blazer removed, he rolled those sleeves up and proceeded to do the obvious. At the least, he now could claim to be a brain surgeon. He grimaced at the thought - or was it that slimy feel of that brain his hands now held? Either way, it wasn't pretty.

Just as Tatsumi was about to replace the brain, the computer nearby roared to life and a cartoon representation of the blond scientist popped on the screen; an application of sorts, it seemed. It blinked innocently at Tatsumi at first, before launching into a series of over-acted expressions of love and joy.

"Tatsumi, you came!" the scientist's voice filtered from the speakers, but it was slightly robotic at best; clearly, it was a program. Orange hearts flooded the screen for a few moments, and then it was just the screen, the applications on it, and the cartoon representation of Watari Yutaka again.

"You know how to do this, right? I think my body should be able to recognize what to do once you have my brains back! Careful, alright? If something falls out of it, we're doomed!"

Silently, he praised his hands for not dropping that brain at the sudden sounds he heard from the nearby computer. Quickly he looked to that computer screen, a slightly annoyed expression on his face. And this scientist, brilliant enough to design a computer program to stand in for him, brilliant enough to cut his own brains out without creating a clone, had the lack of sense to think of what he would do once his brain had been dislodged. Not only that, but the pixellated images were annoying in their cuteness.

"If you hadn't interrupted me, I think I would have figured it out," he dryly responded, turning again to the operation he had on his hands. Just put the damned brain in and let it go. "You're lucky I had a good grip," he snapped in irritation as he positioned that brain properly. Finally, it lie just as it was supposed to, and the top of that head comically swung back to cover that exposed brain. Dully, he realised that he was operating within what could be a cartoon sketch.

"I don't know, Tatsumi, the sink is pretty close by..." the Yutaka program said honestly, once again going into that animation sequence that blinked innocently at Tatsumi.

"And, ugh wow, that hurt-- you might decide to get rid of me after all." This time, it was Yutaka himself who spoke, eyes squeezed shut as he tried to bite back the searing pain of being reconnected with his brains, chips, mechanical components and all. Though the guardians of death were naturally gifted with freakish regeneration rates, Yutaka knew that it took his body's own special alterations to be able to do things like this. Oh, he was sure the normal guardian could have had his brains out like that and still be technically alive, but it took his brains' otherwise non-organic components to allow him to be able to actually call for help like he did, and to allow him to be partially conscious even. If you didn't put the brains back on, you were as good as dead until your brains regenerated your whole body.

He was silent for a few minutes then, maybe five or ten. He could almost feel the neat line in his skull knitting back, and it was not pleasant at all. Still, it was nothing too unmanageable. After death, Yutaka found that everything could be bearable if you put your mind into it.

"Ah," Yutaka said, sighing, when the sharp searing pain tapered into a dull, albeit, rapid, throbbing. "Thank you for coming, Tatsumi... I owe you."

It felt odd to be saying that now, but Yutaka tried to forget what had happened between them in the past two weeks right then. He needed to be thankful, and truthfully, Tatsumi deserved his thanks to be free from whatever ill-feelings still lingering between them.

Fortunately, Tatsumi's back was to the scientist for some time, and he had the pretence of washing his hands to be thankful for that. The words had shifted from first mechanical to human, and very soon he was aware that Watari was, indeed, speaking to him. And apologising.

The water still ran, but Tatsumi wasn't exactly running his hands under it. Only when he remembered that water did, indeed, cost money through utilities did he turn the water off and reach for a dry cloth. On the one hand, Watari was apologising. On the other... the damages had been done. But what could be done about that?

He again sighed to himself, setting the cloth aside before slowly turning to Watari again. "It was the only thing to do," he replied simply while keeping a neutral expression. What else was there to do, once everything had been done?

Yutaka sat back, tilted his head upwards, and placed a hand over his sweaty forehead. The moisture on it might as well have been blood, but at that point, the scientist couldn't really care any less. The most important part was that his body was healing though, he imagined, that headache was going to linger for days at least.

"Say what you will, Tatsumi," he said nonchalantly. "But the fact remains that you could have done nothing... I'm not complaining though, since that was my life on the line..."

He trailed away, mouth opening and then closing again as he realized he didn't really have anything else to say. Anything, that was, that didn't have the risk of going back to the events from last week.

"I wasn't about to let a co-worker remain trapped here," he replied quickly, working to unroll those sleeves. No, if he had left Watari in this condition... no, he didn't even want to think about it. It would have been a little too cruel, even for punishment. As much as he sometimes detested the man, he still was a colleague.

Finally, though, he slipped back into that blazer, once more torn between staying or leaving. Luckily, again, his back was turned away from Watari - no, he didn't want to hear any more observations about "cowardice". Certainly, that stoic silence would have been a good opening for Watari to aim that sniper-rifle and fire - no, that had been enough that time. However, he decided to settle into a well-worn groove of mannerisms. "You're okay, yes?"

Tatsumi's question was met with pregnant silence. Only when the shadow master looked poised to leave did the scientist finally speak, and it was in a hushed tone.

"About that time, Tatsumi," Yutaka said, though he wasn't even sure about which time he was talking about. "I'm sorry. I was too harsh. That... isn't the whole of my thoughts. It wasn't right of me to constantly poke at your feelings for Tsuzuki."

He sighed, helplessness almost audible from that small action. "I guess it sounds unbelievable, considering the curse then - and it really sounds like a poor excuse right now - but... my thoughts... aren't always one. If you know what I mean."

Yutaka didn't bother to open his eyes to see if Tatsumi had turned back. Instead, he kept his eyes closed, and focused on the cold darkness behind his eyelids, not to mention the safety it offered him. He didn't think he could look Tatsumi in the eye right then.

He still didn't dare look back, and he didn't budge an inch when he heard Watari speak again. The silence had become comfortable - he knew how to deal with silence, even preferred it - but he had little idea what to do when he was met with that apology.

At the least, it was adequate. At the least, it was an apology. At the least, it had come directly from Watari.

He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, still not daring to face Watari directly. Make it painless and easy - that was the goal. The sooner it was done, the better. So he broke the silence, still remaining in that sense of safety that manners gave him.

"Thank you."

Hearing Tatsumi's simple response made Yutaka ease a bit, and the corners of his lips turn up a bit in a slight smile. He was glad his apology had carried off to Tatsumi sincerely, because he was sorry it had come to that. He'd always thought Tatsumi was an idiot when it came to his feelings, but he also respected the shadow master to some degree and understood that sometimes...

...sometimes it was just hard to beat your feelings, even when common sense was right there, at your door, beating furiously for acknowledgment.

The feelings of ease brought some confidence to Yutaka, unfortunately. And, with that newly found confidence, he decided to speak again, in a mildly joking manner.

"And you weren't bad in bed at all, Tatsumi."

And then what composure Tatsumi had began to crack. Just a grimace, of course, but it turned into an unenthusiastic glare when he turned slightly to eye Watari. Oh he had to bring that up again, didn't he? Little did he register the fact that, indeed, his ears pinked at the implication.

"Was that really necessary?" he snapped. He was almost waiting to see just what the scientist would reply with - could it get any more embarrassing?

Yutaka was clearly unaffected by the glare and the aggression in the shadow master's voice. "You were hurt by my statement last time," the blond said, a matter-of-fact. "So I'm saying otherwise to make you feel better? It was-- well, just remember it felt good physically So, don't let my harsh words then stop you from ever getting laid, Tatsumi! Because you are a decent woman in bed... so you must be a decent man as well! ...In bed, that is."

Inwardly, the scientist was utterly grateful for the control he had again of his thoughts, and what came out of his mouth. The time with Tatsumi still left feelings of unease within himself whenever he recalled it, but technically, it was just as he had said; Tatsumi wasn't bad in bed. Yutaka simply found him, as willing partner... unforgivable. Wrong.

Yutaka promptly told his mind that the subject was closed for that day.

"And, sex is good, after all, Tatsumi. Recreation ... Stress release!"

Watari had succeeded; that was the thing with shameless people, they had no problem in crossing the line. Tatsumi had no idea where to even begin with that reply he had received, but he knew one thing was clear. The subject was a bit inappropriate.

"I wasn't hurt by that," he answered curtly. He was far too preoccupied with the question of "has he no shame?" to be fully aware that his ears were now bright red and hot. He needed no reminders for that day; it had been bad enough in itself.

"Don't lie, Tatsumi~" Yutaka said, venturing further into Pissing Tatsumi territories. "If the person I got laid with told me I sucked in bed, I'd be hurt and offended myself This is perfectly normal human reaction..."

"Of course, you might think yourself an exception since you... probably haven't gotten laid in centur-- I mean, decades, but in the end, Tatsumi, you're still human. In plain speak, you were woman, you had a the equipment, I utilized that equipment, and then offended its usefulness. The natural course of action for you would have been to become hurt, or offended, or both! This is simple psychology, Watson!"

And he pressed on, enough to bring that reddish colour to his face - whether it was out of ire or embarrassment, even he had no idea. The man had no shame, speaking about such things like that. Of course, though, he wouldn't understand it as anything else other than a simple biological process. It almost disgusted him how base it sounded with that context.

"That's enough." Simple response, but he kept to himself the thoughts swirling about within himself. Watari wouldn't understand.

The subject was closed for the day, but Yutaka found himself unable to keep himself from warning Tatsumi about his failure back then, at least. That, too, had bothered him for a while. Even if the shadow-master was stubborn, Yutaka had the mind to ease his own concerns, if one could even call it that.

"I'll drop that subject, but I want to let you know, Tatsumi," the scientist said, in a slightly more serious tone. "Please don't ever let your guard down to anyone else like that again, alright? You weren't bad in bed at all, but that doesn't mean you should get too lost in it either."

Because when one half lost control, the other half was liable to get carried away and lose control as well.

"Well, you were being unfair," he snapped suddenly. Just as quickly, the realisation of that stinging heat around his face - especially those ears - prompted him to snap his stare back forward. "It was your fault, anyway...." And really, it had been; in the short term, there were those odd manipulations Watari exerted. Then again, he wouldn't have been so exploitable had that tea not even been touched.

Yes, it was all Watari's fault to begin with.

"Life is unfair; suck it up, Tatsumi," the scientist said flatly, meeting Tatsumi's gaze with a serious look. "Don't tell me you were planning on remaining celibate the rest of your undead life, and the only reason you got laid that time was because of my switch of your equipment? You're bound to have sex at one point, with someone, whether it's for your own personal gain, or for the benefit of your mission. That's always a possibility. And besides, don't tell me you don't feel sexual tension at all, Tatsumi?"

"Of course not." Instantly, he knew he had told a lie; it had been years, perhaps, in between such instances, but sexual tension was still easy to recognise at certain points. But, what Watari didn't know wouldn't hurt him, and as far as he was concerned, it was his own business. "And yes, it was your fault - I wouldn't have been in that position if you hadn't done anything," he continued, now sounding quite indignant even as he kept on staring ahead.

The heat he felt was beginning to subside; that was a good sign, a tell-tale one of regaining composure. Still, though, it was getting to a point where it was becoming highly impolite. Watari was prying, and for what reason? "There's no need in you asking such personal questions anyway."

The scientist's lips spread into a wide smile, and for an instant, it was hard to reconcile the smiling man with the pitiful state he had been in less than an hour ago.

"There is if you don't ask the questions yourself. And there's no need to be offended, Tatsumi. It's up to you if you want to listen to my words of wisdom "

Tatsumi scoffed. Words of wisdom - he was almost dubious about that, but then again... he had brought some sense to that scene Tsuzuki's near-suicide lacked. Of course he had to remember that just at this moment; it peeved him even further to have a noble memory in his mind when he felt simply like insulting the other man.

Luckily, the blush had subsided by this point, and atsumi realised he could again face Watari without unnecessary embarrassment. "Why are you even asking?" he started in a calmer voice. "It's not as though you need to know."

"It could be a rhetorical question and I already know, Tatsumi," Yutaka offered cheerfully. "The only way you could be really celibate is if you were a eunuch... but considering the regeneration we all have? That's impossible, of course!"

"That was unnecessary, Watari-san," he replied calmly, though the crossed arms he now sported certainly told differently. This was the thanks he'd receive for rescuing Watari from his own moment of idiocy? He didn't have to answer any questions just to be humiliated again, and he didn't have to be here any longer. But that just brought up the question that he didn't really want to answer.

Why was he still here, participating in this?

Finally, he released a grumpy grunt, turning back around and heading for the door. "If that's all you need from me, then I have business to attend to."

"Ah, wait, Tatsumi... there is one more thing!" Yutaka cried before Tatsumi could cross half the distance to the door.

He hoped that, at least, the shadow master would turn and give him an annoyed look. That was all the opening he needed for his simple, and final request for the night.

He paused dead in his tracks abruptly, and he cursed under his breath. Just what was the need for the delay? He groaned slightly, thinking it could be a situation calling for him to drink this and taste that and then three days later, who knew what would happen? He had learned early that it was unwise to eat anything a loosely amoral scientist handed you.

Regardless, he turned on his heel and glared at Watari. He was wasting his time here, and since time was money.... "What?" he spat out.

"Tat~su~ mi~ "

Yutaka paused for dramatic effect. Tatsumi could be so predictable sometimes. He made a pouting face, and though he was sure he could never successfully emulate Tsuzuki's pouting face, he knew that would somehow ease Tatsumi. Ease, as in, get the message across that Watari Yutaka was still petulantly and purposely annoying.

"Do you think you can get me some painkillers too? To help with my headache ~ You can cook something nice for me too, if you like~ "

Annoyance. It was as though Watari knew how irritated he was with wastes of time, and somehow he was tempted to yell at Watari for such an infraction. He had a job to do, and it wasn't going to do itself. He was, perhaps at this point, so behind that he'd have to pull an all-nighter.

Doing his best to slip into an expression that didn't egg on the scientist, Tatsumi could only manage a flatly annoyed glower. "You can do that yourself," he replied, turning on his heel again and heading out the door. Annoyance.

When the door closed, all pretenses were dropped. The smile on the scientist's face disappeared abruptly, and his expression turned blank as he contemplated on the effects of their conversation today. He didn't expect things to snap back into place so easily; just like with his own body, while it looked like he was healing properly externally, Yutaka could still feel sharp stings of pain occasionally as his body struggled to set things to right. The headache was hell, but... things were getting back to normal.

Yutaka believed in that outcome.

"So... simple," he muttered quietly to himself as he looked down on the floor. "So--" he snapped his head back up and whirled his head around in search of a familiar friend.

"003...?" he called out, and sure enough, the small owl reappeared and came to rest on his shoulder, rubbing lovingly against his ear. He smiled then; a small one that was more genuine than any of the smiles he'd given Tatsumi during their meeting.

"It's good to be back."

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